Photo by Steve Harvey on Unsplash

Be proud–of your humility. Michelle Liew.

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In the sky kingdom of Aviar, feathers weren’t just fashion-they were the rule of law. Lord Vantrello was a peacock – a flamboyant figure. a shining star of Aviar’s aristocracy, he strutted about with bejewelled plumes turned Aviar and envious green. His feathers weren’t just ornate–they were his kingly decree.

Lord Vantrello had a reputation for strutting around the otherwise peaceful kingdom and declaring war on anything less than vibrant. All birds had to bow to beauty–or else. Pride was the currency in Aviar—and Vantrello was the richest. He was no ruler–just colourful plumes layered with scorn.

Nim was Aviar’s outcast–a plain Eurasian sparrow with feathers a shade of dull brown. But that plainness was anything but.

“One’s true worth lies beyond plumes,” was his gentle chirp.

That was the affront that sent hate waves through Vantrello’s feathers. He declared a public Challenge of Radiance, giving each bird just one short day to display their finest regalia/ He who collected the crowd’s loudest cheers won.

The air in Aviar soon shimmered with vibrant feathers, with all birds flaunting prideful plumes in struts.

All except Nim. In gentle defiance of Lord Vantrellos’ dazzling status quo. He brought with him–

Nothing.

So it was that Vantrello stood, a vibrant fan of shimmering plumes.

Pilfered. Yet beaming in their forbidden hues.

Nim just stood, sans feathers, save one quill from his supportive mother.

Given with the love she dared not voice.

So it was–a crown of prideful regality versus a crown of gentle defiance. One shimmered, the other spoke brilliantly–without words. Pride shone. But humility endured.

The phoenixes flew in, donned in pilfered feathers. With quick swishes, they reduced Vantrello’s throne to molten ash.

They turned to Nim.

Who had nothing to prove. Everything to teach.

Nim never ruled over Aviar. But he had followers, drawn to kingship without spectacle.

In his dull, yet gentle wings, quiet wisdom flew.

Bright plumes fell, and truth landed.

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Please find a book of my horror microfiction, Echoes in the Dark, free for download here.🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶